Nostalgia & History > S-curve at Alta

Here’s another trader slide from Margaret Lewis, wife to Dean who ran the old publication “CTC Board” for quite a while. Over the years Dean & Margaret produced a very large body of terrific railfan photography. From trader slides acquired by their longtime friend Jim Watson I have posted quite a few images from both. With more to follow in the future. Here are 2 links to nice examples of ‘Lewis’ photography: ( Canadian miscellany by Dean Lewis ) & ( and Margaret shoots a C-liner ).

While working on this thread’s image, I poured over the Google Maps satellite view of the Alta, California area and believe this train is eastbound. As usual, I’ll accept any necessary corrections...

1. AMTK 529 leads train #6(?), the “California Zephyr” at Alta, CA on October 7, 1973.
Original Kodachrome trader slide by Margaret Lewis, from the late James W. Watson collection.

Thanks for looking back!
Lance Garrels
santafe199

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Well-crafted scene.
Bob

That's a beauty ... who needs sunshine for a great photo???

Yes that is Alta, The speed shed in the background has the foundation still there and is a good place to set up chairs to watch trains.

Yes, it's eastward. If the date is right, they must have been there to record the newsworthy first-order SDPs, which didn't ordinarily run on 5 and 6. Guess the second-orders arrived in spring 1974?

Great photo from the Lewis team, and super scan from Lance.  As for the name of the train, wouldn't it still be the 'San Francisco Zephyr' in 1973?

According to Wikipedia, it wouldn't be renamed the CZ until 1983:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Zephyr

PasadenaSub Wrote: > ... wouldn't it still be the 'San Francisco Zephyr' in 1973?

I'm sure you're right. I never could keep that straight... :^(

Lance

Great photo. That location is all overgrown with vegetation now. - Eric B

Posted from iPhone

timz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, it's eastward. If the date is right, they
> must have been there to record the newsworthy
> first-order SDPs, which didn't ordinarily run on 5
> and 6. Guess the second-orders arrived in spring
> 1974?

Test run in Oct, 1973

santafe199 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PasadenaSub Wrote: > ... wouldn't it still be the
> 'San Francisco Zephyr' in 1973?
>
> I'm sure you're right. I never could keep that
> straight... :^(
>
> Lance

Easy way to remember Lance, it was SFZ until the end of the Rio Grande Zephyr in 83, then it was renamed CZ when it moved to the Rio Grand line.